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EPA Stop Sale Order Protects Philadelphia Residents from Buying Misbranded Pesticides

Release Date: 09/10/2014
Contact Information: Donna Heron, 215-814-5113 heron.donna@epa.gov

PHILADELPHIA (September 10, 2014) – A Stop Sale Order issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to China Town Dollar, Inc. in Philadelphia will protect the health of city residents from three misbranded pest glue traps, which are anti-pest products regulated under the federal pesticide law.

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is the federal statute that regulates pesticides, which are defined as any substance designed to kill or repel pests, and anti-pest devices or products such as glue traps, which are intended for trapping, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest.

To protect the public and ensure safe and effective use of pesticides, FIFRA requires proper labeling of pesticides and anti-pest products. The law also require companies to register pesticides and pesticide-production facilities.

In 2013 EPA issued a warning letter to China Town Dollar after inspectors found two misbranded anti-pest products.

During a follow-up EPA inspection of the China Town Dollar store, located at 928 Arch Street, on February 25, 2014, inspectors found three misbranded anti-pest glue traps: Gokiburi Hoi-Hoi; Trap-A-Roach Hoy-Hoy; and Hunters Fly Glue Pit. Both Gokiburi Hoi-Hoi and Trap-A-Roach Hoy-Hoy packaging did not contain valid EPA establishment numbers. Also, there were no EPA establishment numbers evident on the Hunters Fly Glue Pit packaging.

Also, during the 2014 follow-up inspection, EPA inspectors found that the store had continued to sell one of the previously identified misbranded product under a new name, Hunters Fly Glue Pit.

Following receipt of the Stop Sale Order, China Town Dollar worked with the EPA to properly destroy all of the misbranded items.

FIFRA's requirements protect public health and the environment by ensuring the safe production and handling of pesticides and devices; and by preventing false, misleading, or unverifiable product claims. FIFRA also prohibits the marketing of misbranded, improperly labeled, or adulterated pesticide and devices.

For more information about EPA’s pesticide program, visit www.epa.gov/pesticides.